Novinophobia: The fear of running out of wine. I have no idea if that’s a real thing or not, but it’s certainly a catchy term. I was always a social drinker. On occasion I over indulged, but I usually just drank a glass of wine while I cooked dinner or a cold beer on a hot summer day. Then the Prozac years happened. I was heavily medicated for depression for years and when my marriage started its inexorable crawl toward the edge of the cliff, I started self-medicating with alcohol. It was the kiss of death.
When I imploded, I overdosed and nearly died. Thank God I hadn’t had any alcohol that night or I wouldn’t be here right now. When I came out of that horrible experience, I miraculously had no desire whatsoever to drink alcohol. I do, however, still enjoy a cold beer on a hot summer day and an occasional glass of red wine…just without the alcohol. I’ve found a dealcoholized wine that I enjoy called Fre. It comes in Red Blend, Merlot, and White Zinfandel. There are several non-alcohol beers available now but my very favorite is Erlanger. It’s German and you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between it and a real beer…at least to me.
My father was an alcoholic. I realized if I would have kept down that path, I could have been in real trouble. I tried going to AA but I just didn’t fit there. It’s been nearly 16 years since I’ve had alcohol. I have never, ever been tempted to go back…even with the devastation of losing Mr. Virgo. When people ask if I want a drink, I tell them my theory on alcohol consumption. I tell them I believe God gives us just so many tickets for that ride and they have to last a lifetime. I, unfortunately, did not pace myself and I used them all up WAY too fast. It always gets a laugh and any discomfort in the room is quickly dissipated.
I spent the day tearing my camper apart yesterday and came across this bottle I had in the cupboard under the sink so last night I put on some music, poured myself a glass, and enjoyed a peaceful, cricket-filled summer evening. L’Chaim!
❤️
“They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain. “Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better.”
Isaiah 56:11-12